Frame-based initiator device operation

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described that provide for frame-based initiator device operations. A wireless device may be operating within a frame-based equipment communications system, where a frame may include a channel occupancy time period and a minimum idle period. An initiating device may be configured to initiate autonomous uplink communications during the channel occupancy time period of its frame, while the device may not initiate communications during an idle period of its frame. In some cases, a frame-based equipment communications system may include more than one initiating device, where the idle periods for different initiating devices may occur at different times. In some cases, the initiating device may be configured to initiate communications during the idle period for another initiating device. This may allow the wireless system to decrease system overhead associated with a minimum idle period per frame.

CROSS REFERENCES

The present Application for Patent is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/391,001 by Yerramalli et al., entitled“Frame-Based Initiator Device Operation” filed Apr. 22, 2019, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/663,197by Yerramalli et al., entitled “Frame-Based Initiator Device Operation,”filed Apr. 26, 2018, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communications, and morespecifically to frame-based initiator device operation.

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of suchmultiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such asLong Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, orLTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may bereferred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employtechnologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discreteFourier transform-spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system mayinclude a number of base stations or network access nodes, eachsimultaneously supporting communication for multiple communicationdevices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

In some cases, a device (e.g., base station, UE) may be either a loadbased equipment (LBE) or frame-based equipment (FBE) device. If a devicetransmits as an LBE device, the device may use contention based accessin order to access a channel medium for transmissions. Contention basedaccess may include a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure prior togaining access to the channel. Alternatively, a FBE device may beconfigured with a periodic possible start time for transmissions. Thatis, the device may be configured with a frame period, where thebeginning of each frame corresponds to a possible start time of atransmission by that device.

In some cases, devices using FBE may use a frame that includes a channeloccupancy time (COT) period as well as an idle period. The idle periodmay include some minimum amount of time per frame period that aninitiating device (e.g., a device that transmits via time-frequencyresources without an explicit grant for use of the resources, a devicethat establishes control over an idle channel) may not transmit. Inaddition, the initiating device may not schedule a transmission byanother device during the minimum idle period. In some cases, it may bedesirable to decrease system overhead associated with a minimum idletime requirement within FBE systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, devices, andapparatuses that support frame-based initiator device operation.Generally, the present disclosure provides for facilitating wirelesscommunication in a frame-based equipment (FBE) communications system.The FBE communications system may include initiating devices andresponding devices. An initiating device may have the capability toinitiate communications without a grant scheduling the communications. Aresponding device may transmit in response to a grant or schedulingrequest from an initiating device.

According to some aspects, each initiating device may communicateaccording to a frame structure, which may be fixed in length for thespecific device and may include a channel occupancy time (COT) period aswell as a minimum idle period. An initiating device may be configured toperform (e.g., initiate) communications during the COT period and mayremain idle (e.g., refrain from transmitting or receiving) during theidle period.

An FBE communications system may include more than one initiatingdevice, where the idle periods for different initiating devices mayoccur at different times. In some cases, a first initiating device maybe configured to initiate communications during the idle period of asecond initiating device, during which the second initiating device mayperform communications in response to the first initiating device eventhough the second initiating device is operating during its idle period.In some instances, an initiating device may transmit or receiveaccording to a grant during its idle period. This may allow the wirelesssystem to decrease system overhead associated with a minimum idle periodper frame.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may includedetermining a base station frame timing for communication initiated by abase station over a channel, the base station frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of base station-initiated frames, a startingtime of the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof, determining a device frame timing for communicating as aninitiator device over the channel, the device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, performing alisten-before-talk (LBT) procedure over the channel prior to a startingtime of a first device-initiated frame of the set of device-initiatedframes for an uplink transmission, and transmitting the uplinktransmission to the base station within the first device-initiated framebased on the LBT procedure.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and instructionsstored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by theprocessor to cause the apparatus to determine a base station frametiming for communication initiated by a base station over a channel, thebase station frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, determine a deviceframe timing for communicating as an initiator device over the channel,the device frame timing defining a duration of each of a set ofdevice-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiated framesrelative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof, perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to a startingtime of a first device-initiated frame of the set of device-initiatedframes for an uplink transmission, and transmit the uplink transmissionto the base station within the first device-initiated frame based on theLBT procedure.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include means for determining a base station frame timing forcommunication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, determining a deviceframe timing for communicating as an initiator device over the channel,the device frame timing defining a duration of each of a set ofdevice-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiated framesrelative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof, performing an LBT procedure over the channel prior to astarting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission, and transmitting theuplink transmission to the base station within the firstdevice-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableby a processor to determine a base station frame timing forcommunication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, determine a deviceframe timing for communicating as an initiator device over the channel,the device frame timing defining a duration of each of a set ofdevice-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiated framesrelative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof, perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to a startingtime of a first device-initiated frame of the set of device-initiatedframes for an uplink transmission, and transmit the uplink transmissionto the base station within the first device-initiated frame based on theLBT procedure.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from thebase station, a control transmission over the channel within a firstbase station-initiated frame, the control transmission indicating anavailability of the first device-initiated frame within the first basestation-initiated frame.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from thebase station, a control transmission over the channel within a firstbase station-initiated frame, the control transmission including a grantfor transmitting a base station-initiated uplink transmission orreceiving a downlink transmission from the base station over a set ofscheduled resources within the first base station-initiated frame.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for refraining fromtransmitting during the second device-initiated frame.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for entering an idle modeof operation after transmitting the uplink transmission, identifyingdata to be transmitted in a second uplink transmission, identifyingphysical random access channel (PRACH) resources in the channel based onan access of the channel by the base station during a first basestation-initiated frame and transmitting a PRACH to the base stationbased on the PRACH resources and the device frame timing.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from thebase station, a configuration for operation over a subset of frequencyresources of the channel, where the LBT procedure and the uplinktransmission may be over the subset of frequency resources.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the channel may be located ina shared radio frequency spectrum band.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the duration of each of theset of base station-initiated frames may be longer than the duration ofeach of the set of device-initiated frames.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the duration of each of theset of base station-initiated frames may be a multiple of the durationof each of the set of device-initiated frames.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the set of basestation-initiated frames include respective idle periods.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the uplink transmission atleast partially overlaps in time with one of the respective idleperiods.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the uplink transmissionincludes a scheduling request (SR), a PRACH, a periodic channel stateinformation (CSI) report, a semi-persistent CSI report, a physicaluplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel(PUSCH), or an autonomous uplink (AUL) transmission.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may includedetermining a base station frame timing for communicating with a set ofdevices over a channel, the base station frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of base station-initiated frames, a startingtime of the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof, configuring the set of devices with respective device frametimings for operation as initiator devices over the channel, each deviceframe timing defining a duration of each of a set of device-initiatedframes, an offset of the set of device-initiated frames relative to theset of base station-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, andcommunicating with at least one of the set of devices based on therespective device frame timings.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and instructionsstored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by theprocessor to cause the apparatus to determine a base station frametiming for communicating with a set of devices over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, configure the set ofdevices with respective device frame timings for operation as initiatordevices over the channel, each device frame timing defining a durationof each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of the set ofdevice-initiated frames relative to the set of base station-initiatedframes, or a combination thereof, and communicate with at least one ofthe set of devices based on the respective device frame timings.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include means for determining a base station frame timing forcommunicating with a set of devices over a channel, the base stationframe timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, configuring the setof devices with respective device frame timings for operation asinitiator devices over the channel, each device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, and communicatingwith at least one of the set of devices based on the respective deviceframe timings.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableby a processor to determine a base station frame timing forcommunicating with a set of devices over a channel, the base stationframe timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, configure the set ofdevices with respective device frame timings for operation as initiatordevices over the channel, each device frame timing defining a durationof each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of the set ofdevice-initiated frames relative to the set of base station-initiatedframes, or a combination thereof, and communicate with at least one ofthe set of devices based on the respective device frame timings.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for performing an LBTprocedure over the channel prior to a first base station-initiated frameof the set of base station-initiated frames and communicating, as aninitiator device, with at least one of the set of devices within thefirst base station-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a controltransmission over the channel within the first base station-initiatedframe, the control transmission indicating an availability of theplurality of device-initiated frames within the first basestation-initiated frame.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a controltransmission over the channel within the first base station-initiatedframe, where the control transmission includes a grant of a set ofscheduled resources for at least one of the set of devices for an uplinktransmission or a downlink transmission.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for configuring PRACHresources in the channel based on the LBT procedure, receiving a PRACHfrom an idle device over the PRACH resources and configuring the idledevice with a device frame timing for operation as an initiator deviceover the channel.

According to some aspects, the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to atleast one of the set of devices, a configuration to operate over asubset of frequency resources of the channel.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the channel may be located ina shared radio frequency spectrum band.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the duration of each of theset of base station-initiated frames may be longer than the duration ofeach of the set of device-initiated frames.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the duration of each of theset of base station-initiated frames may be a multiple of the durationof the set of device-initiated frames.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, each of the set of basestation-initiated frames includes a respective idle period.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, communicating with at leastone of the set of devices may include operations, features, means, orinstructions for receiving an uplink transmission over a set ofresources that at least partially overlaps in time with an idle periodof a first base station-initiated frame of the set of basestation-initiated frames.

According to some aspects of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, communicating with at leastone of the set of devices may include operations, features, means, orinstructions for receiving an SR, a PRACH, a periodic CSI reporting, asemi-persistent CSI reporting, a PUCCH, a PUSCH, or an AUL transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate examples of a wireless communicationssystem that supports frame-based initiator device operation inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a process flow that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show block diagrams of devices that support frame-basedinitiator device operation in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a device that supports frame-basedinitiator device operation in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show block diagrams of devices that support frame-basedinitiator device operation in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a device that supports frame-basedinitiator device operation in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 14 through 18 show flowcharts illustrating methods that supportframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present disclosure provides for configuring deviceswithin a frame-based equipment (FBE) communication system that supportscommunication techniques for multiple initiating devices. For example, abase station may configure a user equipment (UE) as an initiating FBEdevice. The base station may configure the UE (e.g., via one or moreconfiguration messages) to operate as an initiating device using a framespanning a frame period and including a channel occupancy time (COT) andan idle period. The COT and idle period of the UE may differ than theCOT and idle period associated with a frame of the base station. Forexample, the UE may have frame with a shorter COT and idle period than aframe associated with the base station and in some cases, the frame ofthe UE and the base station may not align in time.

In some aspects, once configured as an initiating device, a UE mayinitiate communications during the idle period for another initiatingdevice (e.g., a base station). Such a configuration may reduce theoverall idle time of the wireless communications system and increasethroughput. Additionally, the base station (or other network node) mayconfigure multiple devices (e.g., in an industrial internet of things(IIoT) environment) to operate according to different frame structures.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context ofwireless communications systems. Aspects are then described with respectto a frame structure and a process flow. Aspects of the disclosure arefurther illustrated by and described with reference to apparatusdiagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to frame-basedinitiator device operation.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100that supports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system100 includes base stations 105, UEs 115, and a core network 130. In someaspects, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long TermEvolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pronetwork, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some cases, wirelesscommunications system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications,ultra-reliable (e.g., mission critical) communications, low latencycommunications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexitydevices.

Base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with UEs 115 via one ormore base station antennas. Base stations 105 described herein mayinclude or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a basetransceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radiotransceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation Node B orgiga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home NodeB,a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. Wirelesscommunications system 100 may include base stations 105 of differenttypes (e.g., macro or small cell base stations). The UEs 115 describedherein may be able to communicate with various types of base stations105 and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs,relay base stations, and the like.

Each base station 105 may be associated with a particular geographiccoverage area 110 in which communications with various UEs 115 issupported. Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage fora respective geographic coverage area 110 via communication links 125,and communication links 125 between a base station 105 and a UE 115 mayutilize one or more carriers. Communication links 125 shown in wirelesscommunications system 100 may include uplink transmissions from a UE 115to a base station 105, or downlink transmissions from a base station 105to a UE 115. Downlink transmissions may also be called forward linktransmissions while uplink transmissions may also be called reverse linktransmissions.

The geographic coverage area 110 for a base station 105 may be dividedinto sectors making up only a portion of the geographic coverage area110, and each sector may be associated with a cell. For example, eachbase station 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, asmall cell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or various combinationsthereof. In some aspects, a base station 105 may be movable andtherefore provide communication coverage for a moving geographiccoverage area 110. In some aspects, different geographic coverage areas110 associated with different technologies may overlap and overlappinggeographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies maybe supported by the same base station 105 or by different base stations105. The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, aheterogeneous LTE/LTE-A/LTE-A Pro or NR network in which different typesof base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverageareas 110.

The term “cell” refers to a logical communication entity used forcommunication with a base station 105 (e.g., over a carrier), and may beassociated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells(e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier(VCID)) operating via the same or a different carrier. In some aspects,a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may beconfigured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-typecommunication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), enhancedmobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access fordifferent types of devices. In some cases, the term “cell” may refer toa portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over whichthe logical entity operates.

UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communications system100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 may also bereferred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, ahandheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitableterminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, astation, a terminal, or a client. A UE 115 may also be a personalelectronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. Insome aspects, a UE 115 may also refer to a wireless local loop (WLL)station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything(IoE) device, or an MTC device, or the like, which may be implemented invarious articles such as appliances, vehicles, meters, or the like.

Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low cost or lowcomplexity devices, and may provide for automated communication betweenmachines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication). M2Mcommunication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies thatallow devices to communicate with one another or a base station 105without human intervention. In some aspects, M2M communication or MTCmay include communications from devices that integrate sensors or metersto measure or capture information and relay that information to acentral server or application program that can make use of theinformation or present the information to humans interacting with theprogram or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collectinformation or enable automated behavior of machines. Examples ofapplications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventorymonitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcaremonitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological eventmonitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing,physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.

Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reducepower consumption, such as half-duplex communications (e.g., a mode thatsupports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but nottransmission and reception simultaneously). In some aspects half-duplexcommunications may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other powerconservation techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power saving“deep sleep” mode when not engaging in active communications, oroperating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowbandcommunications). In some cases, UEs 115 may be designed to supportcritical functions (e.g., mission critical functions), and a wirelesscommunications system 100 may be configured to provide ultra-reliablecommunications for these functions.

In some cases, a UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly withother UEs 115 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device(D2D) protocol). One or more of a group of UEs 115 utilizing D2Dcommunications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of a basestation 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographiccoverage area 110 of a base station 105, or may be otherwise unable toreceive transmissions from a base station 105. In some cases, groups ofUEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may utilize a one-to-many(1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in thegroup. In some cases, a base station 105 facilitates the scheduling ofresources for D2D communications. In other cases, D2D communications arecarried out between UEs 115 without the involvement of a base station105.

Base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and with oneanother. For example, base stations 105 may interface with the corenetwork 130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., via an S1 or otherinterface). Base stations 105 may communicate with one another overbackhaul links 134 (e.g., via an X2 or other interface) either directly(e.g., directly between base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via corenetwork 130).

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and otheraccess, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be anevolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobilitymanagement entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and atleast one Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may managenon-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility,authentication, and bearer management for UEs 115 served by basestations 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be transferredthrough the S-GW, which itself may be connected to the P-GW. The P-GWmay provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The P-GWmay be connected to the network operators IP services. The operators IPservices may include access to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a Packet-Switched (PS) Streaming Service.

At least some of the network devices, such as a base station 105, mayinclude subcomponents such as an access network entity, which may be anexample of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entitymay communicate with UEs 115 through a number of other access networktransmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smartradio head, or a transmission/reception point (TRP). In someconfigurations, various functions of each access network entity or basestation 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g.,radio heads and access network controllers) or consolidated into asingle network device (e.g., a base station 105).

Wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or morefrequency bands. For example, wireless communications system 100 mayoperate in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Generally, the region from300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region ordecimeter band, since the wavelengths range from approximately onedecimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirectedby buildings and environmental features. However, the waves maypenetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service toUEs 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associatedwith smaller antennas and shorter range (e.g., less than 100 km)compared to transmission using the smaller frequencies and longer wavesof the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of thespectrum below 300 MHz.

Wireless communications system 100 may also operate in a super highfrequency (SHF) region using frequency bands from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, alsoknown as the centimeter band. The SHF region includes bands such as the5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands, which may be usedopportunistically by devices that can tolerate interference from otherusers.

Wireless communications system 100 may also operate in an extremely highfrequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz),also known as the millimeter band. In some aspects, wirelesscommunications system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW)communications between UEs 115 and base stations 105, and EHF antennasof the respective devices may be even smaller and more closely spacedthan UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate use of antennaarrays within a UE 115. However, the propagation of EHF transmissionsmay be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter rangethan SHF or UHF transmissions. Techniques disclosed herein may beemployed across transmissions that use one or more different frequencyregions, and designated use of bands across these frequency regions maydiffer by country or regulating body.

In some cases, wireless communications system 100 may utilize bothlicensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example,wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access(LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technologyin an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz ISM band. When operating inunlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, wireless devices such as basestations 105 and UEs 115 may employ listen-before-talk (LBT) proceduresto ensure a frequency channel (e.g., a predefined channel bandwidth, acarrier bandwidth, or a bandwidth part (BWP)) is clear beforetransmitting data. The LBT procedure may involve a device (e.g., a basestation 105 or UE 115) monitoring a channel (e.g., detecting signalenergy on the channel) to determine the use of the channel by otherdevices prior to a possible transmission. If the device determines thereis an acceptable level of interference (e.g., no signal energy isdetected on the channel, the detected signal energy is below a certainthreshold), the device may proceed with a transmission. Alternatively,if the device detects an undesirable level of interference (e.g., thedetected signal energy exceeds a certain threshold), the device mayabstain from transmitting. In some cases, operations in unlicensed bandsmay be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction withCCs operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations in unlicensedspectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions,peer-to-peer transmissions, or a combination of these. Duplexing inunlicensed spectrum may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD),time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination of both.

In some aspects, base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped withmultiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such astransmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) communications, or beamforming. For example, wirelesscommunications system 100 may use a transmission scheme between atransmitting device (e.g., a base station 105) and a receiving device(e.g., a UE 115), where the transmitting device is equipped withmultiple antennas and the receiving devices are equipped with one ormore antennas. MIMO communications may employ multipath signalpropagation to increase the spectral efficiency by transmitting orreceiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which may bereferred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may, forexample, be transmitted by the transmitting device via differentantennas or different combinations of antennas. Likewise, the multiplesignals may be received by the receiving device via different antennasor different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals maybe referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bitsassociated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) ordifferent data streams. Different spatial layers may be associated withdifferent antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMOtechniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) where multiple spatiallayers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-userMIMO (MU-MIMO) where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multipledevices.

Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering,directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signalprocessing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or areceiving device (e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115) to shape orsteer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or receive beam) along aspatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device.Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated viaantenna elements of an antenna array such that signals propagating atparticular orientations with respect to an antenna array experienceconstructive interference while others experience destructiveinterference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antennaelements may include a transmitting device or a receiving deviceapplying certain amplitude and phase offsets to signals carried via eachof the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustmentsassociated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by abeamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g.,with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device orreceiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).

In one aspect, a base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antennaarrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communicationswith a UE 115. For instance, some signals (e.g., synchronizationsignals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other controlsignals) may be transmitted by a base station 105 multiple times indifferent directions, which may include a signal being transmittedaccording to different beamforming weight sets associated with differentdirections of transmission. Transmissions in different beam directionsmay be used to identify (e.g., by the base station 105 or a receivingdevice, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for subsequent transmissionand/or reception by the base station 105. Some signals, such as datasignals associated with a particular receiving device, may betransmitted by a base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., adirection associated with the receiving device, such as a UE 115). Insome aspects, the beam direction associated with transmissions along asingle beam direction may be determined based at least in in part on asignal that was transmitted in different beam directions. For example, aUE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the basestation 105 in different directions, and the UE 115 may report to thebase station 105 an indication of the signal it received with a highestsignal quality, or an otherwise acceptable signal quality. Althoughthese techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted inone or more directions by a base station 105, a UE 115 may employsimilar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times in differentdirections (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequenttransmission or reception by the UE 115) or transmitting a signal in asingle direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).

A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115, which may be an example of a mmWreceiving device) may try multiple receive beams when receiving varioussignals from the base station 105, such as synchronization signals,reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. Forexample, a receiving device may try multiple receive directions byreceiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing receivedsignals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving accordingto different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals receivedat a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processingreceived signals according to different receive beamforming weight setsapplied to signals received at a plurality of antenna elements of anantenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” accordingto different receive beams or receive directions. In some aspects areceiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a singlebeam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receivebeam may be aligned in a beam direction determined based at least inpart on listening according to different receive beam directions (e.g.,a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highestsignal-to-noise ratio, or otherwise acceptable signal quality based atleast in part on listening according to multiple beam directions).

In some cases, the antennas of a base station 105 or UE 115 may belocated within one or more antenna arrays, which may support MIMOoperations, or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or morebase station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antennaassembly, such as an antenna tower. In some cases, antennas or antennaarrays associated with a base station 105 may be located in diversegeographic locations. A base station 105 may have an antenna array witha number of rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115.Likewise, a UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may supportvarious MIMO or beamforming operations.

In some cases, wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-basednetwork that operate according to a layered protocol stack. In the userplane, communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol(PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may, insome cases, perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicateover logical channels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may performpriority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transportchannels. The MAC layer may also use hybrid automatic repeat request(HARQ) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve linkefficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC)protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenanceof an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a base station 105 or corenetwork 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. At thePhysical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

In some cases, UEs 115 and base stations 105 may support retransmissionsof data to increase the likelihood that data is received successfully.HARQ feedback is one technique of increasing the likelihood that data isreceived correctly over a communication link 125. HARQ may include acombination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check(CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g.,automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAClayer in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise conditions). Insome cases, a wireless device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, wherethe device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific slot for datareceived in a previous symbol in the slot. In other cases, the devicemay provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot, or according to someother time interval.

Time intervals in LTE or NR may be expressed in multiples of a basictime unit, which may, for example, refer to a sampling period ofT_(s)=1/30,720,000 seconds. Time intervals of a communications resourcemay be organized according to radio frames each having a duration of 10milliseconds (ms), where the frame period may be expressed asT_(f)=307,200 T_(s). The radio frames may be identified by a systemframe number (SFN) ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10subframes numbered from 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a duration of1 ms. A subframe may be further divided into 2 slots each having aduration of 0.5 ms, and each slot may contain 6 or 7 modulation symbolperiods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended toeach symbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period maycontain 2048 sampling periods. In some cases, a subframe may be thesmallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 andmay be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In othercases, a smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system100 may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g.,in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) or in selected component carriers(CCs) using sTTIs).

In some wireless communications systems, a slot may further be dividedinto multiple mini-slots containing one or more symbols. In someinstances, a symbol of a mini-slot or a mini-slot may be the smallestunit of scheduling. Each symbol may vary in duration depending on thesubcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation, for example. Further,some wireless communications systems may implement slot aggregation inwhich multiple slots or mini-slots are aggregated together and used forcommunication between a UE 115 and a base station 105.

The term “carrier” refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resourceshaving a defined physical layer structure for supporting communicationsover a communication link 125. For example, a carrier of a communicationlink 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band thatis operated according to physical layer channels for a given radioaccess technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data,control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associatedwith a pre-defined frequency channel (e.g., an E-UTRA absolute radiofrequency channel number (EARFCN)) and may be positioned according to achannel raster for discovery by UEs 115. Carriers may be downlink oruplink (e.g., in an FDD mode), or be configured to carry downlink anduplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode). In some aspects, signalwaveforms transmitted over a carrier may be made up of multiplesub-carriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques suchas orthogonal division frequency multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fouriertransform-spread-OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM).

The organizational structure of the carriers may be different fordifferent radio access technologies (LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.).For example, communications over a carrier may be organized according toTTIs or slots, each of which may include user data as well as controlinformation or signaling to support decoding the user data. A carriermay also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronizationsignals or system information) and control signaling that coordinatesoperation for the carrier. In some aspects (e.g., in a carrieraggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisitionsignaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for othercarriers.

Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to varioustechniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel maybe multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using time divisionmultiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM)techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. In some aspects, controlinformation transmitted in a physical control channel may be distributedbetween different control regions in a cascaded manner (e.g., between acommon control region or common search space and one or more UE-specificcontrol regions or UE-specific search spaces).

A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radiofrequency spectrum, and in some aspects the carrier bandwidth may bereferred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wirelesscommunications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be oneof a number of predetermined bandwidths for carriers of a particularradio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz). Insome aspects, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating overportions or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol typethat is associated with a predefined portion or range (e.g., set ofsubcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier (e.g., “in-band”deployment of a narrowband protocol type).

In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist ofone symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and onesubcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inverselyrelated. The number of bits carried by each resource element may dependon the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme).Thus, the more resource elements that a UE 115 receives and the higherthe order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate may be forthe UE 115. In MIMO systems, a wireless communications resource mayrefer to a combination of a radio frequency spectrum resource, a timeresource, and a spatial resource (e.g., spatial layers), and the use ofmultiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate forcommunications with a UE 115.

Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., base stations105 or UEs 115) may have a hardware configuration that supportscommunications over a particular carrier bandwidth or may beconfigurable to support communications over one of a set of carrierbandwidths. In some aspects, the wireless communications system 100 mayinclude base stations 105 and/or UEs 115 that can support simultaneouscommunications via carriers associated with more than one differentcarrier bandwidth.

Wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE115 on multiple cells or carriers, a feature which may be referred to ascarrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may beconfigured with multiple downlink CCs and one or more uplink CCsaccording to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregationmay be used with both FDD and TDD CCs.

In some cases, wireless communications system 100 may utilize enhancedCCs (eCCs). An eCC may be characterized by one or more featuresincluding wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, shorter symbolduration, shorter TTI duration, or modified control channelconfiguration. In some cases, an eCC may be associated with a carrieraggregation configuration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g.,when multiple serving cells have a suboptimal or non-ideal backhaullink). An eCC may also be configured for use in unlicensed spectrum orshared spectrum (e.g., where more than one operator is allowed to usethe spectrum). An eCC characterized by wide carrier bandwidth mayinclude one or more segments that may be utilized by UEs 115 that arenot capable of monitoring the whole carrier bandwidth or are otherwiseconfigured to use a limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to conserve power).

In some cases, an eCC may utilize a different symbol duration than otherCCs, which may include use of a reduced symbol duration as compared withsymbol durations of the other CCs. A shorter symbol duration may beassociated with increased spacing between adjacent subcarriers. Adevice, such as a UE 115 or base station 105, utilizing eCCs maytransmit wideband signals (e.g., according to frequency channel orcarrier bandwidths of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz) at reduced symbol durations(e.g., 16.67 microseconds). A TTI in eCC may consist of one or multiplesymbol periods. In some cases, the TTI duration (that is, the number ofsymbol periods in a TTI) may be variable.

Wireless communications system 100 may be an NR system and may utilizeany combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands,among others. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and subcarrierspacing may allow for the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In someaspects, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization andspectral efficiency, specifically through dynamic vertical (e.g., acrossthe frequency domain) and horizontal (e.g., across the time domain)sharing of resources.

In some cases, a device (e.g., base station 105, UE 115) may be either aload based equipment (LBE) or FBE device. If a device transmits as anLBE device, the device may use contention based access in order toaccess a channel medium for transmissions. Contention based access mayinclude carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)techniques in which a device having a packet for transmission checks tosee if a channel is clear (e.g., free from use by other devices) beforetransmitting the packet. One example of a CSMA/CA technique may be anLBT procedure which may be performed by a device prior to performing atransmission on a channel. CSMA/CA (e.g., an LBT procedure) may involvemechanisms such as clear channel assessment (CCA) or extended CCA, whichmay be performed by a device prior to gaining access to the channel topromote fairness in access to the channel by multiple devices operatingin an LBE mode. In a CCA procedure, a device may monitor a channelduring an LBT period based on a CCA timer and once the timer expires andthe channel is clear, the device may transmit the packet over thechannel. During an extended CCA procedure, a device may monitor achannel for a given period (e.g., an LBT period or a CCA period) as wellas a defer period, after which time a device may monitor one or moretime durations (e.g., symbols, mini-slots, slots) during a back-off timebefore transmitting the packet.

Systems that support FBE communications may include one or more devicesconfigured as FBE devices. For example, a wireless device such as anaccess point (AP) or a base station 105 may operate as an FBE devicewhich may be configured with possible transmission start times thatoccur periodically. That is, the device may be configured with a framehaving a given period, where the beginning of each frame corresponds toa possible start time of a transmission by that device. Prior to apossible start time, the device may utilize an LBT procedure todetermine if the medium is free. The LBT procedure may be a one-shot LBTinstead of monitoring the channel according to a CCA timer. The one-shotLBT procedure may include a device listening to a channel medium (e.g.,over one or more symbols) for any interference prior to transmitting onthat channel.

If the device determines there are no interfering communicationsoccurring during its LBT (or that the interference is below a certainthreshold) prior to one of the possible start times, the device maytransmit (e.g., at the transmission start time following the one-shotLBT procedure). If a device transmits at its possible start time, thedevice may establish access to the channel medium for up to the entiretyof a COT of its frame period. Wireless communications system 100 mayutilize FBE base stations 105 that are managed by a single operator. Insome cases, the base station frame periods may have the same length andthe same start times throughout the wireless communications system 100,or some base stations 105 may be synchronized while others operateasynchronously.

Devices operating as FBEs may use a frame that includes a COT period aswell as an idle period. The idle period may include some minimum amountof time per frame period that an initiating device (i.e., a device thatestablishes control over the channel for transmissions) may nottransmit. In addition, the initiating device may not schedulecommunications by another device within the minimum idle period. Theminimum idle period may be given by at least 5% of the total frameperiod or in some cases, 100 microseconds (μs). In this example, frameperiods smaller than 2 ms may accrue a larger idle overhead due to theminimum 100 μs idle period. In the case that multiple base stations 105have the same frame period with the same start time, the idle period mayalign for the multiple base stations 105.

In an FBE system, a base station 105 may operate according to a fixedframe period. Prior to each frame (i.e., at the end of the idle time ofthe previous frame), the initiating device may use LBT (e.g., one-shotLBT) to determine if the medium is free for access. If the initiatingdevice determines that the channel is free (e.g., signal energy on thechannel is below a threshold), the device may begin transmitting at thestart of its frame period (i.e., its possible start time). In thisexample, the initiating device may utilize the channel medium for anycommunications for the duration of the COT associated with that frameperiod. If the initiating device detects that the channel is not free ordoes not begin transmitting at its frame boundary, the device may waituntil the start of its next frame period before transmitting.

In some cases, rather than accessing the channel medium as a respondingdevice (e.g., a device that performs communication in response tosignaling from another FBE device), a UE 115 may initiate communicationover the medium. As an initiating device, the UE 115 may be either anLBE or FBE device. That is, the UE 115 may either gain access to thechannel using contention-based access or frame-based access. When a UE115 uses frame-based access (i.e., the UE 115 operates in an FBE mode),the UE 115 may also use a frame period including a COT and idle period,and use a one-shot LBT procedure prior to frame boundaries to determinewhether the channel medium is clear for transmission by the UE 115. Insome cases, a network may restrict an access mode for UEs 115 operatingon the network. For example, a UE 115 may not be able to access themedium as both an LBE and FBE device. In some cases, a single operatorFBE system may restrict UEs 115 to only operate in an FBE mode.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 200that supports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, wirelesscommunications system 200 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications system 100. For example, base station 105-a may operateas an FBE device within a single operator environment. Additionally, UE115-a may be configured as an FBE device that may transmit autonomously.

In some aspects, base station 105-a may operate according to frame 225that includes a COT 215 and an idle period 220. For instance, basestation 105-a may transmit via downlink channel 210 and schedule uplinktransmissions via uplink channel 205 during the COT 215. Base station105-a may then observe a minimum idle time during idle period 220.During idle period 220, base station 105-a may not transmit via downlinkchannel 210 as an initiating device and the base station 105-a may notschedule any uplink transmissions during the idle period 220.

According to some aspects, base station 105-a may perform a one-shot LBTprocedure prior to the beginning of frame 225 to determine if thecommunication channel is clear of interference. In some cases, basestation 105-a may determine the channel is clear and transmit anoperation configuration 230 to UE 115-a during COT 215 of frame 225. Inother aspects, base station 105-a may transmit the operationconfiguration 230 to one or more UEs 115 via dedicated control channelresources separate from the frame 225 (e.g., via a different carrier ofa multiple carrier or carrier aggregation configuration). Operationconfiguration 230 may include information for configuring UE 115-a as anFBE initiating device and may indicate a frame configuration for the UE115-a. For instance, the frame configuration may indicate a frame 245having a COT 235 and an idle period 240.

When UE 115-a is configured as an initiating device, UE 115-a may bepermitted to transmit autonomous uplink (AUL) transmissions via uplinkchannel 205 without receiving an explicit grant from base station 105-a.This may allow UE 115-a to transmit a scheduling request (SR), aphysical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink sharedchannel (PUSCH), or channel state information (CSI) reports, as well asother types of transmissions, without receiving a grant. For example, UE115-a may autonomously transmit CSI reporting, where the reporting maybe periodic or semi-persistent. UE 115-a may also transmit a physicalrandom access channel (PRACH) (e.g., via AUL). In some cases, UE 115-amay transmit PRACH in both connected mode or idle mode and may utilizeresources within COT 235 that are configured by base station 105-a asPRACH resources.

Operation configuration 230 may include information for configuring aframe structure for UE 115-a. For example, operation configuration 230may indicate to UE 115-a a start time, an offset (e.g., a time offsetwith respect to a frame 225 of base station 105-a), a frame duration, ora periodicity of occurrence for frame 245. In some cases, the operationconfiguration 230 may indicate (e.g., via a bitmap) a set of frames(e.g., contiguous or non-contiguous) allocated for the UE 115-a. Theconfiguration of frame 245 may be unique to UE 115-a or, alternatively,may be common between a group of UEs 115. In some cases, frame 245 forUE 115-a may be formatted similar to frame 225 of base station 105-a.For example, frame 245 may also have a minimum amount idle period 240associated with each frame 245. The idle period 240 may include anamount of time (e.g., 5% of the frame period, or at least 100 μs perframe period). During the idle period 240, UE 115-a may not transmit orschedule any communications.

Operation configuration 230 may indicate a subset of frames 245 that areto be inactive. That is, UE 115-a may only be able to transmitautonomously on active frames 245. In some cases, base station 105-a maypreconfigure a subset of frames 245 that are to be inactive. Forexample, operation configuration 230 may include an integer N thatindicates to UE 115-a every N frames 245 that are active. In otheraspects, operation configuration 230 may include some other type ofindication that communicates to UE 115-a if one or more frames 245 areto be inactive. In other cases, base station 105-a may dynamicallyindicate to UE 115-a which of its frames 245 are active or inactive. Inthis example, base station 105-a may transmit a trigger signal (e.g.,via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or other physicalcontrol channel outside of operation configuration 230) to UE 115-a,indicating whether frames 245 within frame 225 of the base station areto be active.

In some cases, the initiating UE 115-a or group of initiating UEs 115may have a frame 245 that is the same duration as the frame 225associated with base station 105-a. In other instances, the initiatingUE(s) 115-a may have frame 245 durations that are smaller than that ofthe base station frame 225. In such cases, each UE 115 may have multipleframe periods within a single base station frame 225. For example, thebase station frame period may be an integer multiple of the frameperiods configured for each UE 115, and different frame periods may beconfigured for different UEs or groups of UEs 115.

According to some aspects, at least one COT period 235 for UE 115-a mayoccur during idle period 220 of the base station frame 225. In suchcases, base station 105-a may communicate during its idle period 220 ifresponding to signaling (e.g., transmission of ACK/NACK information) orother requests from UE 115-a that occurs during COT 235 associated withUE 115-a.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a frame structure 300 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some aspects, frame structure 300 may beimplemented by aspects of wireless communications systems 100 or 200.For example, frames 305 may correspond to frames for a base station 105that operates as an FBE device within a single operator environmentwhile frames 325 may correspond to frames for a UE 115 that operates asan FBE device, which may be capable of performing AUL transmissions.

In some aspects, frames 305 may represent a frame structure for an FBEbase station. Each frame 305 may include a COT period 310 and a minimumidle period 315. During COT period 310, control resources 320 may beallocated for transmission of control information to one or more UEs incommunication with the base station. For example, a base station mayperform transmission via control resources 320 at the beginning of frame305, which may include a resource allocation for one or more UEsgranting the UE(s) access to time-frequency resources of the channelduring COT period 310 to perform uplink or receive downlinktransmissions. Control resources 320 may also include a timingindication for frame 305.

Prior to gaining access to the channel during frame 305-a, a basestation may perform a one-shot LBT within idle period 315-a. Afterdetermining the channel is clear of communications from other devices,the base station may transmit control information 320-a at the beginningof frame 305-a. Control information 320-a may include informationrelated to resource allocation for the remainder of the COT period310-b. Control information 320-a may also include frame configurationinformation (e.g., a slot format indicator (SFI)) for one or moreinitiating UEs in communication with the base station.

Frames 325 may represent a frame structure for an FBE UE, where theframe includes COT period 330 and minimum idle period 335. In somecases, a UE may receive some information via control information 320from a base station. The control information may indicate to the UE asubset of frames 325 that are to be inactive. For example, controlinformation 320-a may indicate a transmission scheduled during one offrames 325-a, 325-b, or 325-c. In some cases, the control informationmay indicate that one or more frames are inactive and therefore unableto be used for AUL. For instance, the base station may indicate thatframes 325-d, 325-e, and 325-f are inactive and therefore unable to beused for communications (e.g., transmission via AUL).

In some aspects, there may be a period 340 or 345 that corresponds to aCOT period 330 for a UE that at least partially overlaps with an idleperiod 315 for a base station. In some cases, a UE transmit an AULwithin an active frame 325. For example, a UE may transmit an AUL withinCOT period 330-d of frame 325-d. In some cases, the AUL may includesignaling that triggers a response from the base station. In suchinstances, the base station may respond during time 345 within idleperiod 315-b because it is responding to a UE-initiated communication.In this example, idle period 315-b corresponds to a period where a basestation may not initiate any communications. However, the base stationmay still respond to a communication initiated by a different devicewithin the different device's COT period 330-d.

The UE may transmit an AUL within base station frames 305 for which thebase station accesses the channel, and within base station frames 305for which the base station does not access the channel (e.g., becausethe channel is busy during the one-shot LBT performed by the basestation before the base station frame 305 or because the base stationchooses not to transmit during the base station frame 305).

In some aspects, an initiating device may act as a responding device incommunications with a different initiating device. However, if a deviceacts as a responding device during its idle period (e.g., idle period315, idle period 335), the device may not initiate a transmission at thebeginning of its following COT period (e.g., COT period 310, COT period330). For example, the UE may be configured by the base station with agrant that overlaps its idle period 335-b, and thus may not transmitduring the following frame 325-c.

In some cases, multiple base stations may be present in a communicationssystem operating according to FBE. The multiple base stations may beconfigured with the same base station frame timing, and in some casesmay coordinate UE frame timing. For example, each base station mayconfigure UEs with the same frame timing, or may configure UEs served byeither one of the base stations to each have different offsets relativeto the base station frames (e.g., so UEs connected to different basestations also have different offsets).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 400that supports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, wirelesscommunications system 400 may be implemented by aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. For example, base station 105-b mayoperate as an FBE device within a single operator environment.Additionally, UEs 115 may be configured as FBE devices that may transmitautonomously.

In some cases, base station 105-b may communicate over frame 305-c.Prior to any transmissions, base station 105-b may engage in a one-shotLBT operation at 405 to ensure the channel is clear of interference. Ifthe channel is clear, base station 105-b may then access the channel andtransmit control information 320-c, which may indicate resourceallocation for the remainder of frame 305-c. Base station 105-b maytransmit according to the indicated resource allocations for downlinktransmissions, or may transmit during a transmission opportunity (TxOP).In some cases, the TxOPs may have predetermined start times in frame305-c, while in other cases TxOPs may start at any position within frame305-c. In some cases, control information 320-c may indicate TxOPs fordownlink transmissions during frame 305-c. If base station 105-b desiresto send any additional data during frame 305-c, base station 105-b mayutilize the potential TxOPs.

In some cases, base station 105-b may be in communication with severalUEs 115-b, 115-c, and 115-d. Each of the UEs 115 may be configured withthe same or different frame configurations for AUL. For example, UEs 115may be configured with a same frame duration for AUL but differentoffsets such that the UE 115 frame timings have staggered start times.That is, UE 115-b may be configured with a start time at 410, UE 115-cmay be configured with a start time at 415, and UE 115-d may beconfigured with a start time at 420.

In some cases, base station 105-b may transmit beyond the confines of aninitial configured TxOP position. In some cases, base station 105-b mayconfigure potential additional TxOPs to occur before potential AULpositions. That is, if base station 105-b utilizes a potential TxOP foran unscheduled downlink transmission, a UE 115 may not engage in apotential AUL. In some cases, if a UE 115 uses a one-shot LBT procedureprior to transmitting an AUL, TxOPs that are used by base station 105-bwould block AUL transmissions having start times overlapping with theoccupied TxOPs.

In some cases, base station 105-b may extend a TxOP beyond the scheduledTxOP position. For example, base station 105-a may identify additionaldownlink data and extend a TxOP without having to contend for frameresources with AUL transmissions. Base station 105-b may extend a TxOPup to the beginning of idle period 315-d. In other cases, base station105-a may indicate within control information 320-c a subset of frames(and corresponding COT periods 330 and minimum idle periods 335) thatmay be inactive for UEs 115. Base station 105-b may send thisnotification via PDCCH signaling (e.g., within a common search space),or some other control signaling such as an SFI.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a process flow 500 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some aspects, process flow 500 may be implementedby aspects of wireless communications systems 100 or 200 using the FBEtechniques as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . For example, base station 105-cmay operate as an FBE device within a single operator environment.Additionally, UE 115-e may be configured as an FBE device, which mayperform autonomous transmissions.

At 505, a connection is established between base station 105-c and UE115-e. The connection may be a wireless link that supportscommunications between base station 105-c and UE 115-e. In some cases,the connection may be established via a random access procedure. Forinstance, a base station may convey a set of PRACH resources (viabroadcast signaling, system information (SI), PDCCH) to the UE 115-e.After identifying the PRACH resources, UE 115-e may transmit a randomaccess request message via the PRACH resources, which may indicate tothe base station 105-c that the UE 115-e wishes to establish aconnection. Base station 105-c may determine to transmit a random accessresponse message indicating connection establishment.

At 510, base station 105-c may configure one or more UEs in the systemincluding UE 115-e. In some cases, the configuration of UE 115-e mayinvolve determining a frame configuration for the UE 115-e andconfiguring the UE 115-e to operate as an FBE device.

At 515 the base station 105-c may transmit an operation configuration toUE 115-e. The operation configuration may include an indication of aframe timing such as a frame duration and offset from a base stationframe. The operation configuration may also specify that the frame forUE 115-e includes a COT period and an idle period. In some cases, theoperation configuration may indicate a set of frequency resources (e.g.,a channel, a BWP) over which the UE 115-e may communicate. The operationconfiguration may convey LBT resources and AUL resources for the UE115-e. For example, the operation configuration may include informationrelated to frame timing for the UE 115-e, which may be used by the UE115-e to determine LBT resources for gaining access to a channel. TheLBT resources may be a set of resources prior to the start of the framefor UE 115-e, which may be used by the UE 115-e to perform LBT. Theoperation configuration may also indicate resources within a frame ofthe base station 105-c that may be utilized by UE 115-e for AULtransmissions.

At 520, the base station 105-c may optionally transmit controlinformation to UE 115-e. The control information may indicate resourcesavailable for use by the UE 115-e or may be used to schedule one or morecommunications between the base station 105-c and the UE 115-e. Thecontrol information may be transmitted in a set of time-frequencyresources of the base station frame (e.g., the first 1, 2, or 3 symbolsof the base station frame), which may be monitored by UE 115-e.

At 525, UE 115-e may determine a base station 105-c frame timing forcommunication initiated by the base station over a channel. In somecases, the base station timing may define a duration of each of aplurality of base station-initiated frames, a starting time of theplurality of bae station-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. Insome aspects, the plurality of base station-initiated frames may includerespective idle periods and the channel may be located in a shared radiofrequency spectrum band. In some cases, the base station 105-c maybroadcast an indication of the base station 105-c frame timing (e.g.,via synchronization signals, discovery reference signals, or systeminformation). After receiving the indication from the base station105-c, the UE 115-e may determine the base station 105-c frame timing.

At 530, UE 115-e may determine a device frame timing for communicatingas an initiator device over the channel. In some cases, base station105-c may transmit an indication of the device frame timing (e.g., viacontrol information) within a frame configuration for UE 115-e. Based onthe frame configuration, the UE 115-c may determine the device frametiming. For example, the device frame timing may define a duration ofeach of a plurality of a device-initiated frames, an offset of theplurality of device-initiated frames relative to the plurality of basestation-initiated frames relative to the plurality of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof, which may be used bythe UE 115-e to determine device frame timing. In some cases, theduration of each of the plurality of base station-initiated frames islonger than the duration of each of the plurality of device-initiatedframes. In some aspects, the duration of each of the plurality of basestation-initiated frames is a multiple of the duration of each of theplurality of device-initiated frames.

At 535, UE 115-e may perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior toa starting time of a first device-initiated frame of the plurality ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission. In some cases, theLBT procedure may be a one-shot LBT procedure that spans one or moresymbols prior to the first device-initiated frame.

At 540, UE 115-e may transmit the uplink transmission to the basestation 105-c within the first device-initiated frame based at least inpart on the LBT procedure. In some aspects, the uplink transmissionincludes an SR, a PRACH, a periodic CSI report, a semi-persistent CSIreport, a PUCCH, a PUSCH, or an AUL transmission.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of a UE115 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, acommunications manager 615, and a transmitter 620. The device 605 mayalso include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 610 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to frame-basedinitiator device operation, etc.). Information may be passed on to othercomponents of the device 605. The receiver 610 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 920 described with reference to FIG. 9 . Thereceiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 615 may determine a base station frame timingfor communication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The communicationsmanager 615 may determine a device frame timing for communicating as aninitiator device over the channel, the device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The communicationsmanager 615 may perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to astarting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission and transmit theuplink transmission to the base station within the firstdevice-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure. The communicationsmanager 615 may be an example of aspects of the communications manager910 described herein.

The communications manager 615, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 615, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed in the present disclosure.

The communications manager 615, or its sub-components, may be physicallylocated at various positions, including being distributed such thatportions of functions are implemented at different physical locations byone or more physical components. In some aspects, the communicationsmanager 615, or its sub-components, may be a separate and distinctcomponent in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.In some aspects, the communications manager 615, or its sub-components,may be combined with one or more other hardware components, includingbut not limited to an input/output (I/O) component, a transceiver, anetwork server, another computing device, one or more other componentsdescribed in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 620 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 605. In some aspects, the transmitter 620 may becollocated with a receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 620 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 920described with reference to FIG. 9 . The transmitter 620 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of adevice 605 or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include areceiver 710, a communications manager 715, and a transmitter 740. Thedevice 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may bein communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 710 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to frame-basedinitiator device operation, etc.). Information may be passed on to othercomponents of the device 705. The receiver 710 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 920 described with reference to FIG. 9 . Thereceiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 715 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 615 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 715 may include a base station timing manager 720, a devicetiming manager 725, an LBT manager 730, and an uplink manager 735. Thecommunications manager 715 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 910 described herein.

The base station timing manager 720 may determine a base station frametiming for communication initiated by a base station over a channel, thebase station frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof.

The device timing manager 725 may determine a device frame timing forcommunicating as an initiator device over the channel, the device frametiming defining a duration of each of a set of device-initiated frames,an offset of the set of device-initiated frames relative to the set ofbase station-initiated frames, or a combination thereof.

The LBT manager 730 may perform an LBT procedure over the channel priorto a starting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission.

The uplink manager 735 may transmit the uplink transmission to the basestation within the first device-initiated frame based on the LBTprocedure.

The transmitter 740 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 705. In some aspects, the transmitter 740 may becollocated with a receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 740 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 920described with reference to FIG. 9 . The transmitter 740 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a communications manager 805 thatsupports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 805 may bean example of aspects of a communications manager 615, a communicationsmanager 715, or a communications manager 910 described herein. Thecommunications manager 805 may include a base station timing manager810, a device timing manager 815, an LBT manager 820, an uplink manager825, a control manager 830, and an access manager 835. Each of thesemodules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g.,via one or more buses).

The base station timing manager 810 may determine a base station frametiming for communication initiated by a base station over a channel, thebase station frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof.

In some cases, the channel is located in a shared radio frequencyspectrum band. In some cases, the set of base station-initiated framesinclude respective idle periods.

The device timing manager 815 may determine a device frame timing forcommunicating as an initiator device over the channel, the device frametiming defining a duration of each of a set of device-initiated frames,an offset of the set of device-initiated frames relative to the set ofbase station-initiated frames, or a combination thereof.

In some cases, the duration of each of the set of base station-initiatedframes is longer than the duration of each of the set ofdevice-initiated frames. In some cases, the duration of each of the setof base station-initiated frames is a multiple of the duration of eachof the set of device-initiated frames.

The LBT manager 820 may perform an LBT procedure over the channel priorto a starting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission.

The uplink manager 825 may transmit the uplink transmission to the basestation within the first device-initiated frame based on the LBTprocedure.

In some aspects, the uplink manager 825 may refrain from transmittingduring the second device-initiated frame. In some aspects, the uplinkmanager 825 may receive, from the base station, a configuration foroperation over a subset of frequency resources of the channel, where theLBT procedure and the uplink transmission are over the subset offrequency resources.

In some cases, the uplink transmission at least partially overlaps intime with one of the respective idle periods. In some cases, the uplinktransmission includes a SR, a PRACH, a periodic CSI report, asemi-persistent CSI report, a PUCCH, a PUSCH, or an AUL transmission.

The control manager 830 may receive, from the base station, a controltransmission over the channel within a first base station-initiatedframe, the control transmission indicating an availability of the firstdevice-initiated frame within the first base station-initiated frame.

In some aspects, the control manager 830 may receive, from the basestation, a control transmission over the channel within a first basestation-initiated frame, the control transmission including a grant fortransmitting a base station-initiated uplink transmission or receiving adownlink transmission from the base station over a set of scheduledresources within the first base station-initiated frame.

The access manager 835 may enter an idle mode of operation aftertransmitting the uplink transmission. In some aspects, the accessmanager 835 may identify data to be transmitted in a second uplinktransmission. In some aspects, the access manager 835 may identify PRACHresources in the channel based on an access of the channel by the basestation during a first base station-initiated frame. In some aspects,the access manager 835 may transmit a PRACH to the base station based onthe PRACH resources and the device frame timing.

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 thatsupports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example ofor include the components of device 605, device 705, or a UE 115 asdescribed herein. The device 905 may include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting and receiving communications, including a communicationsmanager 910, an I/O controller 915, a transceiver 920, an antenna 925,memory 930, and a processor 940. These components may be coupled via oneor more buses (e.g., bus 945).

The communications manager 910 may determine a base station frame timingfor communication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The communicationsmanager 910 may determine a device frame timing for communicating as aninitiator device over the channel, the device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The communicationsmanager 910 may perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to astarting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission, and transmit theuplink transmission to the base station within the firstdevice-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure.

The I/O controller 915 may manage input and output signals for thedevice 905. The I/O controller 915 may also manage peripherals notintegrated into the device 905. In some cases, the I/O controller 915may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral.In some cases, the I/O controller 915 may utilize an operating systemsuch as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, oranother known operating system. In other cases, the I/O controller 915may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, atouchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller 915may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user mayinteract with the device 905 via the I/O controller 915 or via hardwarecomponents controlled by the I/O controller 915.

The transceiver 920 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, thetransceiver 920 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicatebi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 920may also include a modem to modulate the packets and provide themodulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and to demodulatepackets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 925.However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna 925,which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The memory 930 may include random-access memory (RAM) and read-onlymemory (ROM). The memory 930 may store computer-readable,computer-executable code 935 including instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to perform various functions described herein. Insome cases, the memory 930 may contain, among other things, a basic I/Osystem (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operationsuch as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The processor 940 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), amicrocontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, adiscrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardwarecomponent, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 940may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller.In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor940. The processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readableinstructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 930) to cause thedevice 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or taskssupporting frame-based initiator device operation).

The code 935 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 935 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 940 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of aspects of abase station 105 as described herein. The device 1005 may include areceiver 1010, a communications manager 1015, and a transmitter 1020.The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these componentsmay be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 1010 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to frame-basedinitiator device operation, etc.). Information may be passed on to othercomponents of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 1320 described with reference to FIG. 13 .The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 1015 may determine a base station frametiming for communicating with a set of devices over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The communicationsmanager 1015 may configure the set of devices with respective deviceframe timings for operation as initiator devices over the channel, eachdevice frame timing defining a duration of each of a set ofdevice-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiated framesrelative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof. The communications manager 1015 may communicate with at leastone of the set of devices based on the respective device frame timings.The communications manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1310 described herein.

The communications manager 1015, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1015, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, anASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described in the presentdisclosure.

The communications manager 1015, or its sub-components, may bephysically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations by one or more physical components. In some aspects, thecommunications manager 1015, or its sub-components, may be a separateand distinct component in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. In some aspects, the communications manager 1015, or itssub-components, may be combined with one or more other hardwarecomponents, including but not limited to an I/O component, atransceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or moreother components described in the present disclosure, or a combinationthereof in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 1020 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1005. In some aspects, the transmitter 1020 may becollocated with a receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1020 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1320 described with reference to FIG. 13 . The transmitter 1020 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of adevice 1005 or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1105may include a receiver 1110, a communications manager 1115, and atransmitter 1135. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each ofthese components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via oneor more buses).

The receiver 1110 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to frame-basedinitiator device operation, etc.). Information may be passed on to othercomponents of the device 1105. The receiver 1110 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 1320 described with reference to FIG. 13 .The receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 1115 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1015 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 1115 may include a base station timing manager 1120, a timingconfiguration manager 1125, and a data manager 1130. The communicationsmanager 1115 may be an example of aspects of the communications manager1310 described herein.

The base station timing manager 1120 may determine a base station frametiming for communicating with a set of devices over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof.

The timing configuration manager 1125 may configure the set of deviceswith respective device frame timings for operation as initiator devicesover the channel, each device frame timing defining a duration of eachof a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of the set ofdevice-initiated frames relative to the set of base station-initiatedframes, or a combination thereof.

The data manager 1130 may communicate with at least one of the set ofdevices based on the respective device frame timings.

The transmitter 1135 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1105. In some aspects, the transmitter 1135 may becollocated with a receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1135 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1320 described with reference to FIG. 13 . The transmitter 1135 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a communications manager 1205 thatsupports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1205 maybe an example of aspects of a communications manager 1015, acommunications manager 1115, or a communications manager 1310 describedherein. The communications manager 1205 may include a base stationtiming manager 1210, a timing configuration manager 1215, a data manager1220, an LBT manager 1225, a control manager 1230, and an access manager1235. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly,with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The base station timing manager 1210 may determine a base station frametiming for communicating with a set of devices over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof.

In some cases, the channel is located in a shared radio frequencyspectrum band. In some aspects, each of the set of basestation-initiated frames includes a respective idle period.

The timing configuration manager 1215 may configure the set of deviceswith respective device frame timings for operation as initiator devicesover the channel, each device frame timing defining a duration of eachof a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of the set ofdevice-initiated frames relative to the set of base station-initiatedframes, or a combination thereof.

In some aspects, the timing configuration manager 1215 may configure theidle device with a device frame timing for operation as an initiatordevice over the channel. In some cases, the duration of each of the setof base station-initiated frames is longer than the duration of each ofthe set of device-initiated frames. In some cases, the duration of eachof the set of base station-initiated frames is a multiple of theduration of the set of device-initiated frames.

The data manager 1220 may communicate with at least one of the set ofdevices based on the respective device frame timings.

In some aspects, the data manager 1220 may communicate, as an initiatordevice, with at least one of the set of devices within the first basestation-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure.

In some aspects, the data manager 1220 may transmit, to at least one ofthe set of devices, a configuration to operate over a subset offrequency resources of the channel.

In some aspects, communicating with at least one of the set of devicesincludes receiving an SR, a PRACH, a periodic CSI reporting, asemi-persistent CSI reporting, a PUCCH, a PUSCH, or an AUL transmission.In some cases, the communicating includes receiving an uplinktransmission over a set of resources that at least partially overlaps intime with an idle period of a first base station-initiated frame of theset of base station-initiated frames.

The LBT manager 1225 may perform an LBT procedure over the channel priorto a first base station-initiated frame of the set of basestation-initiated frames.

The control manager 1230 may transmit a control transmission over thechannel within the first base station-initiated frame, the controltransmission indicating an availability of the plurality ofdevice-initiated frames within the first base station-initiated frame.

In some aspects, transmitting a control transmission over the channelwithin the first base station-initiated frame, where the controltransmission includes a grant of a set of scheduled resources for atleast one of the set of devices for an uplink transmission or a downlinktransmission.

The access manager 1235 may configure PRACH resources in the channelbased on the LBT procedure. In some aspects, the access manager 1235 mayreceive a PRACH from an idle device over the PRACH resources.

FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 thatsupports frame-based initiator device operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure. The device 1305 may be an example ofor include the components of device 1005, device 1105, or a base station105 as described herein. The device 1305 may include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting and receiving communications, including a communicationsmanager 1310, a network communications manager 1315, a transceiver 1320,an antenna 1325, memory 1330, a processor 1340, and an inter-stationcommunications manager 1345. These components may be coupled via one ormore buses (e.g., bus 1350).

The communications manager 1310 may determine a base station frametiming for communicating with a set of devices over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The communicationsmanager 1310 may configure the set of devices with respective deviceframe timings for operation as initiator devices over the channel, eachdevice frame timing defining a duration of each of a set ofdevice-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiated framesrelative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof. The communications manager 1310 may communicate with at leastone of the set of devices based on the respective device frame timings.

The network communications manager 1315 may manage communications withthe core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). Forexample, the network communications manager 1315 may manage the transferof data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

The transceiver 1320 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, thetransceiver 1320 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1320 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1325.However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna 1325,which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The memory 1330 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Thememory 1330 may store computer-readable code 1335 including instructionsthat, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor 1340) cause thedevice to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, thememory 1330 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may controlbasic hardware or software operation such as the interaction withperipheral components or devices.

The processor 1340 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, anFPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some cases, the processor 1340 may be configured to operate a memoryarray using a memory controller. In some cases, a memory controller maybe integrated into processor 1340. The processor 1340 may be configuredto execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., thememory 1330) to cause the device #{device} to perform various functions(e.g., functions or tasks supporting frame-based initiator deviceoperation).

The inter-station communications manager 1345 may manage communicationswith other base station 105, and may include a controller or schedulerfor controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with otherbase stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager1345 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for variousinterference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or jointtransmission. In some aspects, the inter-station communications manager1345 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wirelesscommunication network technology to provide communication between basestations 105.

The code 1335 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 1335 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 1335 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 1340 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The operations of method 1400 may be implemented bya UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, theoperations of method 1400 may be performed by a communications manageras described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 . In some aspects, a UE mayexecute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of theUE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally, oralternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions describedherein using special-purpose hardware.

At 1405, the UE may determine a base station frame timing forcommunication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1405 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed by a basestation timing manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1410, the UE may determine a device frame timing for communicating asan initiator device over the channel, the device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a devicetiming manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1415, the UE may perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to astarting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission. The operations of1415 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by an LBTmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1420, the UE may transmit the uplink transmission to the base stationwithin the first device-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure. Theoperations of 1420 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some aspects, aspects of the operations of 1420 may beperformed by an uplink manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to9 .

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The operations of method 1500 may be implemented bya UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, theoperations of method 1500 may be performed by a communications manageras described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 . In some aspects, a UE mayexecute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of theUE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally, oralternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions describedherein using special-purpose hardware.

At 1505, the UE may determine a base station frame timing forcommunication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1505 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a basestation timing manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1510, the UE may determine a device frame timing for communicating asan initiator device over the channel, the device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1510 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a devicetiming manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1515, the UE may receive, from the base station, a controltransmission over the channel within a first base station-initiatedframe, the control transmission indicating an availability of the firstdevice-initiated frame within the first base station-initiated frame.The operations of 1515 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some aspects, aspects of the operations of 1515 maybe performed by a control manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6to 9 .

At 1520, the UE may perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to astarting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission. The operations of1520 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1520 may be performed by an LBTmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1525, the UE may transmit the uplink transmission to the base stationwithin the first device-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure. Theoperations of 1525 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some aspects, aspects of the operations of 1525 may beperformed by an uplink manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to9 .

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The operations of method 1600 may be implemented bya UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, theoperations of method 1600 may be performed by a communications manageras described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 . In some aspects, a UE mayexecute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of theUE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally, oralternatively, a UE may perform aspects of the functions describedherein using special-purpose hardware.

At 1605, the UE may determine a base station frame timing forcommunication initiated by a base station over a channel, the basestation frame timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1605 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a basestation timing manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1610, the UE may determine a device frame timing for communicating asan initiator device over the channel, the device frame timing defining aduration of each of a set of device-initiated frames, an offset of theset of device-initiated frames relative to the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1610 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a devicetiming manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1615, the UE may perform an LBT procedure over the channel prior to astarting time of a first device-initiated frame of the set ofdevice-initiated frames for an uplink transmission. The operations of1615 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by an LBTmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1620, the UE may transmit the uplink transmission to the base stationwithin the first device-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure. Theoperations of 1620 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some aspects, aspects of the operations of 1620 may beperformed by an uplink manager as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to9 .

At 1625, the UE may enter an idle mode of operation after transmittingthe uplink transmission. The operations of 1625 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some aspects, aspects ofthe operations of 1625 may be performed by an access manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1630, the UE may identify data to be transmitted in a second uplinktransmission. The operations of 1630 may be performed according to themethods described herein. In some aspects, aspects of the operations of1630 may be performed by an access manager as described with referenceto FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1635, the UE may identify PRACH resources in the channel based on anaccess of the channel by the base station during a first basestation-initiated frame. The operations of 1635 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some aspects, aspects ofthe operations of 1635 may be performed by an access manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

At 1640, the UE may transmit a PRACH to the base station based on thePRACH resources and the device frame timing. The operations of 1640 maybe performed according to the methods described herein. In some aspects,aspects of the operations of 1640 may be performed by an access manageras described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The operations of method 1700 may be implemented bya base station 105 or its components as described herein. For example,the operations of method 1700 may be performed by a communicationsmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 . In some aspects,a base station may execute a set of instructions to control thefunctional elements of the base station to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Additionally, or alternatively, a base station mayperform aspects of the functions described herein using special-purposehardware.

At 1705, the base station may determine a base station frame timing forcommunicating with a set of devices over a channel, the base stationframe timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1705 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a basestation timing manager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

At 1710, the base station may configure the set of devices withrespective device frame timings for operation as initiator devices overthe channel, each device frame timing defining a duration of each of aset of device-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiatedframes relative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or acombination thereof. The operations of 1710 may be performed accordingto the methods described herein. In some aspects, aspects of theoperations of 1710 may be performed by a timing configuration manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

At 1715, the base station may communicate with at least one of the setof devices based on the respective device frame timings. The operationsof 1715 may be performed according to the methods described herein. Insome aspects, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed by adata manager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 that supportsframe-based initiator device operation in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The operations of method 1800 may be implemented bya base station 105 or its components as described herein. For example,the operations of method 1800 may be performed by a communicationsmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 . In some aspects,a base station may execute a set of instructions to control thefunctional elements of the base station to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Additionally, or alternatively, a base station mayperform aspects of the functions described herein using special-purposehardware.

At 1805, the base station may determine a base station frame timing forcommunicating with a set of devices over a channel, the base stationframe timing defining a duration of each of a set of basestation-initiated frames, a starting time of the set of basestation-initiated frames, or a combination thereof. The operations of1805 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed by a basestation timing manager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

At 1810, the base station may configure the set of devices withrespective device frame timings for operation as initiator devices overthe channel, each device frame timing defining a duration of each of aset of device-initiated frames, an offset of the set of device-initiatedframes relative to the set of base station-initiated frames, or acombination thereof. The operations of 1810 may be performed accordingto the methods described herein. In some aspects, aspects of theoperations of 1810 may be performed by a timing configuration manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

At 1815, the base station may communicate with at least one of the setof devices based on the respective device frame timings. The operationsof 1815 may be performed according to the methods described herein. Insome aspects, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed by adata manager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

At 1820, the base station may perform an LBT procedure over the channelprior to a first base station-initiated frame of the set of basestation-initiated frames. The operations of 1820 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some aspects, aspects ofthe operations of 1820 may be performed by an LBT manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

At 1825, the base station may communicate, as an initiator device, withat least one of the set of devices within the first basestation-initiated frame based on the LBT procedure. The operations of1825 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someaspects, aspects of the operations of 1825 may be performed by a datamanager as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 .

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possibleimplementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearrangedor otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunications systems such as code division multiple access (CDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), singlecarrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems.A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000,Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000,IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releases may be commonly referredto as CDMA2000 1×, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to asCDMA2000 1×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includesWideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system mayimplement a radio technology such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM).

An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are releasesof UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR,and GSM are described in documents from the organization named “3rdGeneration Partnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are describedin documents from an organization named “3rd Generation PartnershipProject 2” (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for thesystems and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systemsand radio technologies. While aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NRsystem may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-APro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, thetechniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro,or NR applications.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs115 with service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cellmay be associated with a lower-powered base station 105, as comparedwith a macro cell, and a small cell may operate in the same or different(e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cellsmay include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells according tovarious examples. A pico cell, for example, may cover a small geographicarea and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 115 with servicesubscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell may also cover asmall geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted accessby UEs 115 having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs 115 in aclosed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 for users in the home, and thelike). An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNBfor a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, afemto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two,three, four, and the like) cells, and may also support communicationsusing one or multiple CCs.

The wireless communications system 100 or systems described herein maysupport synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronousoperation, the base stations 105 may have similar frame timing, andtransmissions from different base stations 105 may be approximatelyaligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 mayhave different frame timing, and transmissions from different basestations 105 may not be aligned in time. The techniques described hereinmay be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operations.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the above description may berepresented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magneticfields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combinationthereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection withthe disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described herein can be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may alsobe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media mayinclude RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flashmemory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items(e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or“one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, alist of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BCor ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “basedon” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions.For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on conditionA” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, asused herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manneras the phrase “based at least in part on.”

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label, or othersubsequent reference label.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedescribed examples.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the artto make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosurewill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other variations withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is notlimited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to beaccorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:determining a network device frame timing for communication initiated bya network device over a channel, the network device frame timingdefining a duration of each of a plurality of network device-initiatedframes, a starting time of the plurality of network device-initiatedframes, or a combination thereof; determining a device frame timing forcommunicating as an initiator device over the channel, the device frametiming defining a duration of each of a plurality of device-initiatedframes, an offset of the plurality of device-initiated frames relativeto the plurality of network device-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof; receiving, from the network device, a control transmission overthe channel within a first network device-initiated frame, the controltransmission indicating an availability of a first device-initiatedframe of the plurality of device-initiated frames; performing, based atleast in part on the availability, a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedureover the channel prior to a starting time of the first device-initiatedframe for an uplink transmission; and transmitting the uplinktransmission to the network device within the first device-initiatedframe based at least in part on the LBT procedure.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the network device, asecond control transmission over the channel within the first networkdevice-initiated frame, the second control transmission comprising agrant for transmitting a network device-initiated uplink transmission orreceiving a downlink transmission from the network device over a set ofscheduled resources within the first network device-initiated frame. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the set of scheduled resources overlapsat least partially with an idle period preceding a seconddevice-initiated frame of the plurality of device-initiated frames, themethod further comprising: refraining from transmitting during thesecond device-initiated frame.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: entering an idle mode of operation after transmitting theuplink transmission; identifying data to be transmitted in a seconduplink transmission; identifying physical random access channel (PRACH)resources in the channel based at least in part on an access of thechannel by the network device during the first network device-initiatedframe; and transmitting a PRACH to the network device based at least inpart on the PRACH resources and the device frame timing.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the network device, aconfiguration for operation over a subset of frequency resources of thechannel, wherein the LBT procedure and the uplink transmission are overthe subset of frequency resources.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thechannel is located in a shared radio frequency spectrum band.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the duration of each of the plurality ofnetwork device-initiated frames is longer than the duration of each ofthe plurality of device-initiated frames.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the duration of each of the plurality of networkdevice-initiated frames is a multiple of the duration of each of theplurality of device-initiated frames.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of network device-initiated frames comprise respectiveidle periods.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the uplink transmissionat least partially overlaps in time with one of the respective idleperiods.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the uplink transmissioncomprises a scheduling request (SR), a physical random access channel(PRACH), a periodic channel state information (CSI) report, asemi-persistent CSI report, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), aphysical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or an autonomous uplink (AUL)transmission.
 12. A method for wireless communication, comprising:determining a network device frame timing for communicating with aplurality of devices over a channel, the network device frame timingdefining a duration of each of a plurality of network device-initiatedframes, a starting time of the plurality of network device-initiatedframes, or a combination thereof; configuring the plurality of deviceswith respective device frame timings for operation as initiator devicesover the channel, each device frame timing defining a duration of eachof a plurality of device-initiated frames, an offset of the plurality ofdevice-initiated frames relative to the plurality of networkdevice-initiated frames, or a combination thereof; transmitting acontrol transmission over the channel within a first networkdevice-initiated frame, the control transmission indicating anavailability of the plurality of device-initiated frames; andcommunicating with at least one of the plurality of devices based atleast in part on the respective device frame timings.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: performing a listen-before-talk (LBT)procedure over the channel prior to the first network device-initiatedframe of the plurality of network device-initiated frames; andcommunicating, as an initiator device, with at least one of theplurality of devices within the first network device-initiated framebased at least in part on the LBT procedure.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising: transmitting a second control transmission over thechannel within the first network device-initiated frame, wherein thesecond control transmission comprises a grant of a set of scheduledresources for at least one of the plurality of devices for an uplinktransmission or a downlink transmission.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising: configuring physical random access channel (PRACH)resources in the channel based at least in part on the LBT procedure;receiving a PRACH from an idle device over the PRACH resources; andconfiguring the idle device with a device frame timing for operation asan initiator device over the channel.
 16. The method of claim 12,further comprising: transmitting, to at least one of the plurality ofdevices, a configuration to operate over a subset of frequency resourcesof the channel.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the channel islocated in a shared radio frequency spectrum band.
 18. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the duration of each of the plurality of networkdevice-initiated frames is longer than the duration of each of theplurality of device-initiated frames.
 19. The method of claim 12,wherein the duration of each of the plurality of networkdevice-initiated frames is a multiple of the duration of the pluralityof device-initiated frames.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein each ofthe plurality of network device-initiated frames comprises a respectiveidle period.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein communicating with atleast one of the plurality of devices comprises: receiving an uplinktransmission over a set of resources that at least partially overlaps intime with an idle period of the first network device-initiated frame ofthe plurality of network device-initiated frames.
 22. The method ofclaim 12, wherein communicating with at least one of the plurality ofdevices comprises: receiving a scheduling request (SR), a physicalrandom access channel (PRACH), a periodic channel state information(CSI) reporting, a semi-persistent CSI reporting, a physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or anautonomous uplink (AUL) transmission.
 23. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication, comprising: a processor; and memory coupled with theprocessor, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by theprocessor to cause the apparatus to: determine a network device frametiming for communication initiated by a network device over a channel,the network device frame timing defining a duration of each of aplurality of network device-initiated frames, a starting time of theplurality of network device-initiated frames, or a combination thereof;determine a device frame timing for communicating as an initiator deviceover the channel, the device frame timing defining a duration of each ofa plurality of device-initiated frames, an offset of the plurality ofdevice-initiated frames relative to the plurality of networkdevice-initiated frames, or a combination thereof; receive, from thenetwork device, a control transmission over the channel within a firstnetwork device-initiated frame, the control transmission indicating anavailability of a first device-initiated frame of the plurality ofdevice-initiated frames; perform a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedureover the channel prior to a starting time of the first device-initiatedframe for an uplink transmission; and transmit the uplink transmissionto the network device within the first device-initiated frame based atleast in part on the LBT procedure.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor tocause the apparatus to: receive, from the network device, a secondcontrol transmission over the channel within the first networkdevice-initiated frame, the second control transmission comprising agrant for transmitting a network device-initiated uplink transmission orreceiving a downlink transmission from the network device over a set ofscheduled resources within the first network device-initiated frame. 25.The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the set of scheduled resourcesoverlaps at least partially with an idle period preceding a seconddevice-initiated frame of the plurality of device-initiated frames, theinstructions further executable by the processor to cause the apparatusto: refrain from transmitting during the second device-initiated frame.26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: enter an idlemode of operation after transmitting the uplink transmission; identifydata to be transmitted in a second uplink transmission; identifyphysical random access channel (PRACH) resources in the channel based atleast in part on an access of the channel by the network device duringthe first network device-initiated frame; and transmit a PRACH to thenetwork device based at least in part on the PRACH resources and thedevice frame timing.
 27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein theinstructions are further executable by the processor to cause theapparatus to: receive, from the network device, a configuration foroperation over a subset of frequency resources of the channel, whereinthe LBT procedure and the uplink transmission are over the subset offrequency resources.
 28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the channelis located in a shared radio frequency spectrum band.
 29. An apparatusfor wireless communication, comprising: a processor; and memory coupledwith the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions executableby the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine a network deviceframe timing for communicating with a plurality of devices over achannel, the network device frame timing defining a duration of each ofa plurality of network device-initiated frames, a starting time of theplurality of network device-initiated frames, or a combination thereof;configure the plurality of devices with respective device frame timingsfor operation as initiator devices over the channel, each device frametiming defining a duration of each of a plurality of device-initiatedframes, an offset of the plurality of device-initiated frames relativeto the plurality of network device-initiated frames, or a combinationthereof; transmit a control transmission over the channel within a firstnetwork device-initiated frame, the control transmission indicating anavailability of the plurality of device-initiated frames; andcommunicate with at least one of the plurality of devices based at leastin part on the respective device frame timings.
 30. The apparatus ofclaim 29, wherein the instructions are further executable by theprocessor to cause the apparatus to: perform a listen-before-talk (LBT)procedure over the channel prior to the first network device-initiatedframe of the plurality of network device-initiated frames; andcommunicate, as an initiator device, with at least one of the pluralityof devices within the first network device-initiated frame based atleast in part on the LBT procedure.